For many people, a public holiday is a day off, but that’s not true for everyone. In sectors like hospitality, healthcare and transport, employees may still be required to work. But what does the law say about Public holidays in Belgium? And how does Hollidat pay Belgium apply if you’re working on Belgium working holidays, Working on sundays, or Working on public holidays? What about Working on Holiday – do you get extra pay or compensatory rest? You’ll find all the details here.
Is it permitted to work on public holidays in Belgium?
15-07-2025
Holiday on the calendar but you have to work? Normally, you’re not supposed to work on statutory Public holidays in Belgium—like Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, etc.
Still, certain sectors are allowed to operate on Belgium working holidays. Think of hospitality, healthcare or transport. So how does that work in law? And what about your pay, compensatory rest and any sectoral agreements? We explain it simply below.
When is it permitted to work on holidays?
Although most people get the day off on public holidays in Belgium, plenty of sectors need to keep running on those days. If your sector allows Working on Sundays, it also generally allows Working on Holiday. Examples include:
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Butchers, bakers, newsagents…
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Hospitality: hotels, restaurants, cafés
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Healthcare: hospitals, care homes, pharmacies
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Transport and public transit
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Tourism, recreation and shift work
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Urgent or critical tasks that can’t be done on another day
Keep in mind: even within permitted sectors, collective agreements (CAOs) can set different rules. Always check your sectoral and company-specific provisions.
Do you get extra pay?
Here’s how Hollidat pay Belgium works: if you work on a public holiday in Belgium, you receive your normal wage—just as if it were a regular workday. On top of that, you’re entitled to paid compensatory rest: a day off to make up for the hours you put in on the holiday. You must take this paid rest within six weeks after the holiday.
If you do overtime on a holiday, you get a 100% premium—double pay for those extra hours. In some sectors (like healthcare), you may also receive additional allowances.
Are you entitled to compensatory rest?
Yes. Work on a holiday and you get paid compensatory rest:
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More than four hours worked? You earn a full day off.
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Four hours or less? You get a half day off.
You must take this rest within six weeks of the holiday. If you’re absent (for example, due to illness, vacation or temporary unemployment) and can’t take it in time, the deadline is simply extended. Once you’re back at work, the six‑week countdown resumes.
Example: You work on the holiday of May 1, then fall sick from May 3 to May 20. You’ll have six weeks from May 21 to take your compensatory rest.
What are the 10 statutory holidays in 2025?
Belgium has 10 official public holidays each year. Curious when they fall in 2025? Check out our guide to the statutory holidays of 2025 in Belgium.
Whether you’re happy to work on Belgium working holidays or prefer your days off, explore our job openings and find the role that fits you.